Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, arrives in China today to sell the region in a bid to create 30,000 new jobs.

He will meet with top officials and business leaders in the cities of Shenzhen, Chongqing and Shanghai where he will showcase high-growth green industries such as battery manufacturing, clean tech and health tech.

“China is already a key partner with a track record of investments in the West Midlands,” said Parker as he set off on his first overseas trade mission.

“We are ready to work with new investors who share our vision. We have the people, the ideas and shovel-ready sites including prime land for a gigafactory.”

The Mayor will highlight the region’s £5.5bn Investment Zone, which includes a development-ready site for a gigafactory and battery technology hub within the Coventry and Warwick Gigapark.

Other key employment sites within the zone are Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor, according to the West Midlands Growth Company, the investment promotion arm of the West Midlands Combined Authority.